It’s important to seek help for mental health concerns as soon as possible. Getting treatment before they become severe can help you improve your quality of life and reduce the effects on others.
Depression, anxiety, or other serious mental illnesses can be treated with talk therapy, medicines, or a combination of both. But knowing when to get help is a challenge.
Depression
Depression can be difficult to recognize, but it’s important to act early if you think someone may be suffering from it. Symptoms of depression can vary from person to person, but feelings of sadness or hopelessness usually accompany them. They may also cause problems in your relationships with others and at work.
In some cases, the symptoms can be triggered by a specific event, such as a breakup or an injury. But other times, they can be more chronic and affect a person’s life for weeks or months at a time.
Getting help for depression is essential because it can be a debilitating condition that interferes with a person’s life and ability to function. The sooner you seek treatment, the better your chance of recovering from depression and moving forward with your life.
If you suspect that you or a loved one is suffering from depression, you can start by talking to them about it. Listen without judgment and offer them nonjudgmental support and encouragement.
Then, contact your doctor or another licensed mental health professional if you feel it’s necessary. A doctor can evaluate the situation and suggest a plan of care, which might include medication, therapy, or both.
A therapist will be able to assess the severity of your symptoms and determine if depression is the underlying cause. If the symptoms are severe, they might also want to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
Depression can be very debilitating, and it can lead to other serious medical conditions as well. It can cause problems with sleep, eating, self-image, and even physical symptoms such as weight loss or difficulty falling asleep. It can also increase a person’s risk of suicide.
Anxiety
Anxiety can be a normal reaction to a threat but can also be a sign of an underlying mental health problem. This is often difficult to recognize, so knowing when to seek mental help can make all the difference.
If you or a loved one are having trouble sleeping, getting out of bed, or dealing with daily activities and errands due to anxiety symptoms, it is probably time to see a therapist. This is especially important if the symptoms persist for more than a few months or interfere with your everyday life.
Keeping track of your symptoms can help you and your therapist to diagnose an anxiety disorder. It can also give you a good idea of how to manage them.
You can learn to identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. The most common type of therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Psychotherapy can be helpful for many anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and social phobia. CBT teaches you how to change your thought patterns, avoid situations that trigger anxious feelings, and find ways to cope with stressful situations.
A therapist can also help you develop stress-coping skills like relaxation and meditation. These techniques can improve your mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety.
Medication can also be used to treat some anxiety disorders. Several types of drugs are available, and each works differently. Talk to your doctor or psychiatrist about the pros and cons of each medicine.
Medications for anxiety disorders are typically prescribed for a short period of time, but they can provide significant relief from symptoms. Modern antidepressants, such as escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac), are the most commonly prescribed medications for anxiety.
Mood Disorders
If you’re sad or irritable, and these feelings have been happening for several weeks or more, you might suffer from a mood disorder. Mood disorders are serious mental health conditions that can impact your quality of life, increase your risk for physical illness, and even cause suicide.
Mood disorders are not uncommon and affect about one in 10 people, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). They include depression and bipolar disorder, also called manic depression.
Some of the most common mood disorder symptoms include persistent sadness or loss of interest in life, changes in sleeping or eating habits, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. They may also change how you interact with others or withdraw from family and friends.
Adolescents are more likely to have mood disorders than adults. They may experience irritability, trouble with school, or a lack of interest in activities with friends. They may also have thoughts of suicide, which can be frightening and scary.
Parents need to know when to seek help for a child who is displaying signs of a mood disorder. Early detection and treatment are crucial for children to feel better and avoid relapses that can be dangerous.
Mood disorder symptoms can be especially difficult to recognize in young children. They may be irritable, have poor sleep patterns, and act out in social situations.
Mood disorders can be treated with medication or psychotherapy. Medications can help regulate chemical imbalances in the brain, while therapy can help patients manage their symptoms and prevent relapse. Regardless of the type of treatment, getting early help is important to reduce your chances of harming yourself or your loved ones.
Relationship Issues
If you are dealing with mental health issues in a relationship, it can be hard to know when to seek outside help. However, it is important to recognize the difference between problems that you and your partner can handle on your own and those that are too persistent, dangerous, or difficult to deal with on your own.
Relationship issues can cause significant emotional pain for you and your partner. They can also have an impact on your day-to-day life, which is why it’s important to know when it is time to seek mental health support.
A healthy, loving relationship is a two-way street, so it’s important to make sure that both people speak openly and honestly about what’s happening in the relationship. If you’re unable to communicate without feeling like you’re being shut down or judged, this is a sign that you and your partner may need to work on your communication skills in order to achieve a more healthy and supportive relationship.
Another sign that it’s time to seek mental health help is if you and your partner are constantly finding fault with each other. This is a very unhealthy behavior and can lead to serious rifts in your relationship, says Dr. Tatkin.
One way to help prevent this is to learn to let go of the things you’ve said or done that aren’t your fault. It’s also important to apologize when you have been wronged in a relationship and to try to do the right thing in the future.
Couples therapy can be a great place to discuss these underlying issues and find a more effective solution. A therapist can help you and your partner discuss a variety of things, including your expectations, how you’ve been interacting with each other, and your feelings about your relationship.
Stress
When it comes to mental health, stress is a common symptom, so it’s important to know when it’s time to seek professional help. The key is to identify the stressors that are causing you to feel overwhelmed and then find strategies to manage them.
Your outlook and attitude can make a huge difference in your ability to handle stress. If you are generally optimistic and able to see life’s challenges as an opportunity rather than a threat, you will be less vulnerable to stress.
It’s also important to consider your support network. If you have a solid group of people who understand and support your needs, you’ll be more resilient to stressful situations.
Another thing to remember is the length of time you’re feeling stressed. Chronic stress, which lasts for weeks or months, can impact your health long-term.
Having a good relationship with your doctor is another way to determine whether you’re suffering from stress or any other problem. Your doctor can evaluate your symptoms, rule out any other medical issues and refer you to a therapist or counselor for treatment.
Some of the most obvious signs that you’re experiencing stress include irritability, restlessness, changes in sleeping habits or mood, difficulty concentrating, and a lack of energy. In addition, physical symptoms can sometimes indicate stress, such as a headache, stomach pains, and muscle tension.
If you’re having difficulty coping with stress, it’s important to address the issue immediately to prevent long-term effects. This can include seeking professional help, exercising regularly, practicing relaxation techniques, and getting enough sleep.
Everyone handles stress differently, so not all people will experience the same symptoms of stress. If you notice a significant change in your ability to function normally, it may be time to seek mental health help.